Cricket

Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has expressed his disappointment over India's decision not to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Afridi believes that cricket should be prioritized over political differences and that the sport should bring people together.Afridi took to social media to share his thoughts, stating that cricket is facing one of its greatest challenges since the late 1970s. He emphasized the need to put aside differences and let the game unite everyone. Afridi pointed out that countries once divided by history can come together in the Olympic spirit, and the same should be possible for cricket.As stewards of the game, Afridi believes that it is the responsibility of those involved in cricket to keep egos in check and focus on its growth and spirit. He expressed his hope that every team would participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and experience the country's warmth and hospitality.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that India had communicated its decision to the ICC, stating their unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. This decision continues a trend of India not sending its cricket team to Pakistan. The last time the Indian team visited Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup.The PCB had previously stated that it would not accept a "Hybrid Model" for the Champions Trophy, which would have involved some matches being played in Pakistan and others in a neutral venue. This development has left the ICC with the task of determining the tournament's schedule and venue.Afridi's comments highlight the importance of cricket as a unifying force and the need to prioritize the sport over political considerations. He believes that the Champions Trophy should be an opportunity for all teams to come together and celebrate the spirit of cricket.

Legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lauded Pakistan's dominant 9-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide, praising newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan while subtly criticizing former skipper Babar Azam.Afridi took to social media to express his admiration for the team's remarkable comeback performance, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership in motivating players. He wrote, "When a captain inspires, the team fires!"Pakistan's victory was spearheaded by paceman Haris Rauf's stunning 5-29, which restricted Australia to a mere 163 in 35 overs. Rizwan, making his debut as white-ball captain, made a significant impact with six dismissals behind the stumps, equaling the world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an ODI.Saim Ayub's blazing 82 and Abdullah Shafique's steady support sealed Pakistan's chase in just 26.3 overs. Afridi praised the team's overall performance, highlighting the contributions of Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen, Saim, and Abdullah.Afridi's comments come amidst speculation about Babar Azam's leadership style. The former skipper has faced criticism for his conservative approach and lack of aggression on the field. Afridi's praise for Rizwan's inspiring leadership suggests that he believes the new captain possesses the qualities necessary to lead Pakistan to success.Pakistan's victory in Adelaide has leveled the three-match ODI series 1-1. The final match will be played on Sunday in Perth, where Pakistan will aim to secure a series victory against the world champions.

The National Cricket League (NCL) Sixty Strikes kicked off with a thrilling encounter between Texas Gladiators CC and Dallas Lonestars CC. Texas, led by the legendary Shahid Afridi, emerged victorious by a comfortable margin of 42 runs.Batting first, Texas posted a formidable total of 140/3 in their allotted 10 overs. Dawid Malan, the former England batter, was the star of the show, smashing a blistering 67 off just 26 deliveries. Malan and Kennar Lewis provided a solid start with a 34-run partnership, before Chris Green dismissed Lewis for 11.Nick Kelly joined Malan at the crease and the duo continued the onslaught, taking Texas past the 100-run mark in the eighth over. Malan's innings came to an end in the ninth over when Chris Wood dismissed him for 67. Kelly and Afridi then propelled Texas to a challenging total of 140 before Kelly was dismissed for 45 off 25 on the final ball of the innings.Chasing 141 in 10 overs, Dallas got off to a promising start with Colin Munro and Sohaib Maqsood putting on a 69-run partnership. However, Munro was forced to retire hurt for 17, and Samit Patel was dismissed cheaply for 2. Maqsood continued to fight, scoring 67 off 36 balls, but his dismissal in the 10th over left Dallas with an uphill task.Skipper Dinesh Karthik and Chris Green tried to salvage the situation, but Karthik was dismissed by Nisarg Patel, and Dallas' innings ended at 98/3. Patel was the pick of the Texas bowlers, claiming two wickets for just 12 runs.Texas Gladiators CC earned the crucial two points in the T10 series with their impressive victory. The tournament promises to be an exciting affair, with several top players from around the world participating.

Shahid Afridi's Blazing Century: A Record-Breaking Moment in ODI HistoryOn October 4, 1996, the world of cricket witnessed a remarkable feat that would forever etch the name of Shahid Afridi in the annals of the sport. In a match against Sri Lanka at the KCA Centenary Tournament, the Pakistani all-rounder unleashed a blistering century that shattered the record for the fastest century in One Day Internationals (ODIs).Afridi, batting at number three, was tasked with providing quick runs for Pakistan. He responded with an astonishing display of power hitting, reaching the century mark in a mere 37 balls. This eclipsed the previous record of 48 balls held by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya.Afridi's innings was a symphony of destruction. He smashed 11 sixes, equaling Jayasuriya's record for the most sixes in an ODI century knock. One over from Sri Lankan bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe yielded 28 runs, a record at the time.Afridi's century propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 371 for 9. Opener Saeed Anwar also contributed a century (115). Sri Lanka, despite a valiant effort from Aravinda de Silva (122), fell short by 82 runs.Afridi's record stood for 17 years until it was broken by New Zealand's Corey Anderson in 2013. Anderson reached the century mark in 36 balls, one delivery faster than Afridi. However, South Africa's AB de Villiers later surpassed Anderson with a stunning 31-ball century.Afridi's blazing century remains a testament to his exceptional talent and the impact he had on the game of cricket. It was a moment that showcased his raw power and the excitement he brought to the sport.

Shahid Afridi's Historic Century: The Sachin Tendulkar Bat ConnectionShahid Afridi, the former Pakistan all-rounder, holds a special place in cricket history for his blistering batting exploits. One of his most iconic achievements was scoring the fastest century in ODI cricket, a record he held for many years. However, behind this remarkable feat lies a fascinating story involving the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.In 1996, Afridi smashed a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, setting a new benchmark for the fastest ODI ton. This achievement earned him the nickname "Boom-Boom" and cemented his status as one of Pakistan's finest attacking batters.But what many may not know is that Afridi used Sachin Tendulkar's bat to achieve this historic milestone. In a YouTube video, Afridi revealed that he had received the bat from Waqar Younis, who had asked him to use it in the match."I have safely kept the bat with which I played my first innings. The bat created history. It was Sachin's bat and he is one of my favorite players, and I created a world record from his bat," Afridi said.Afridi's former teammate, Azhar Mahmood, also shed light on the significance of the Sachin Tendulkar bat. He recalled that the Sri Lankan openers were known for their aggressive batting, and Pakistan needed someone to counter them. Afridi, who was primarily a bowler, was given the opportunity to bat at number three."Afridi went against the spinners, murdering everyone in the nets," Mahmood said. "Next day, we got the game against Sri Lanka and they said he (Afridi) is batting at number three. I think Waqar (Younis) got a bat from Sachin (Tendulkar), he used the great Sachin's bat and managed to get a hundred and after that, he became a batsman."Afridi's century not only broke the record for the fastest ODI ton but also transformed his career. He went on to become a prolific batsman, known for his explosive hitting and match-winning performances.The story of Afridi's century and the Sachin Tendulkar bat is a testament to the camaraderie and respect that exists within the cricket fraternity. It also highlights the impact that a simple gesture can have on a player's career and the enduring legacy of legends like Sachin Tendulkar.

Shahid Afridi: A Grandfather and a Cricket CriticFormer Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi is celebrating a personal milestone while simultaneously voicing concerns over his country's performance in Test cricket.Afridi's family recently welcomed a new member with the birth of his grandson, Aliyaar Afridi, son of Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi and Ansha Afridi. The news was met with widespread congratulations, and images and videos of Afridi with his grandson quickly circulated online.Despite the joyous occasion, Afridi remains engaged with the state of Pakistan cricket. Following Pakistan's heavy defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test match in Rawalpindi, Afridi publicly criticized the team's strategy.Afridi questioned the choice to prepare a pitch that didn't favor Pakistan's strengths, specifically expressing concern over the inclusion of four fast bowlers while omitting a specialist spinner."A 10-wicket defeat raises serious questions about the decision to prepare this type of pitch, select four fast bowlers and leave out a specialist spinner. This to me clearly shows a lack of awareness about home conditions. That said, you cannot take the credit away from Bangladesh for the brand of cricket they played throughout the Test," Afridi wrote on X.Afridi's comments sparked debate on social media, with some fans agreeing with his assessment and others defending the team's selection.Despite the criticism, Afridi remains a prominent figure in Pakistan cricket. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to inspire his teammates. He is also a vocal advocate for the development of young cricketers in Pakistan.As Afridi celebrates a new generation within his family, he continues to actively engage with the sport, unafraid to voice his opinions and spark debate on strategic decisions made by the national team.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the competition in the group stages, suffering humiliating defeats against the United States and India. Despite victories against Canada and Ireland, it was too little too late for Pakistan.The result has sparked a massive backlash from fans and prompted significant changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been sacked as selectors, while Babar Azam's future as captain remains uncertain.Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized the PCB's constant changes, arguing that they have negatively impacted the team's performance. Afridi emphasized the need for stability and consistency, stating that teams require time to adapt to new systems."When you change or bring in any new structure, you must give the system time. Every year, a new chairman comes, and a new system is introduced. Things don't work this way," Afridi told Sports24.Afridi called for a collaborative approach, involving senior board members and players, to develop a long-term plan for the team. He believes that frequent changes create confusion and hinder progress.Meanwhile, the PCB has denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 League. The board cited Pakistan's busy international schedule as the reason for the decision.The PCB's decision has raised concerns about the availability of key players for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The PSL is a major domestic tournament that attracts top players from around the world.Pakistan's poor performance at the T20 World Cup and the subsequent changes within the PCB have raised questions about the team's future. The PCB must address the concerns raised by Afridi and other former players to ensure that Pakistan regains its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the new Indian cricket team head coach has garnered significant attention and praise from the cricketing fraternity. Following Rahul Dravid's successful tenure, Gambhir will take over the reins after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi hailed Gambhir's appointment, commending his positive and straightforward approach. "It's a big opportunity, and we need to see how he makes the most of it. I have seen his interviews, and he talks positively and is very straightforward," Afridi said.Legendary South African fast bowler Dale Steyn expressed his admiration for Gambhir's aggression and streetwise cricket acumen. "I'm a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He's one of the few Indians I ever played against who came back at you, and I like that," Steyn said.Steyn believes Gambhir's competitive spirit and cricket intelligence will benefit the Indian team. "Not just in India, but in world cricket, we need guys who are a little bit more aggressive and play the game a little bit harder. He's also streetwise, a very smart cricketer, and has a great cricket brain," Steyn added.Gambhir's appointment marks a new era for Indian cricket, with the former left-handed opener expected to bring a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of aggression to the team. He will start his tenure with the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he will have the opportunity to implement his coaching philosophy and recruit a new support staff.

Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has extended an invitation to Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, expressing that he would be met with immense love and admiration if he visited Pakistan. Afridi's comments come amidst reports of India's hesitation to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan.Afridi urged the Indian team to prioritize cricket over political tensions and visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He emphasized that cricket tours should be kept separate from politics, as the rivalry between India and Pakistan on the field is unparalleled."I welcome the Indian team (in Pakistan) and they should come. We've always received huge respect and love in our tours of India. In the same way, the Indian team also received love and respect during their tour in 2005. Cricket tours should be kept aside from politics. There is no big politics than India and Pakistan playing against each other in their countries," Afridi stated.Afridi expressed his admiration for Kohli, calling him his favorite player and praising his exceptional talent. He believes that Kohli would be overwhelmed by the love he would receive in Pakistan, surpassing the affection he has experienced in India."Virat will forget the love he has received in India when he would play in Pakistan. He has a huge craze in Pakistan and our people like him very much. In fact, he is my favorite player. He has his own class and he shouldn't have retired from T20Is as because of him T20I looked beautiful," Afridi said.Regarding the future of Indian cricket, Afridi identified Shubman Gill as a potential successor to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He attributed the emergence of young talent to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has created a vast pool of players.Afridi also emphasized the importance of stability in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) administration. He believes that the PCB Chairman should be appointed for an extended tenure to ensure continuity and allow the Pakistan captain to remain in his post for a longer period."Chairman should at least get three years so that Pakistan captain can remain for 2-3 years at his post. With the change of chairman, other things should not be affected. If we work on the basis of merit, the results will come," Afridi concluded.